Have you ever noticed what’s on TV today in terms of children’s viewing suitability? How about the internet in general? As technology continues to advance, our kids not only become more and more exposed to modern media but also become dependent on communication methods, so much so that hardly a school student nowadays can get by without the use of a cell-phone. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, influences are aplenty due to the exposure to an uncensored world out there…
Kids today depend on the media and technology for practically everything from their communication needs to information and knowledge. Modern media trends have also introduced lots of machines, portable or hand-held devices, and gadgets such as smartphones, tablets, and notebooks.
How a good thing can go bad
One thing about smartphones and all other internet-friendly devices is that they place the goings-on of the world, both the good and the bad, in the palm of a kid’s hands, so to speak! Any child who can read may easily stumble upon websites and material that may contaminate the way they think or act, such as pornography, violence, profanity, etc. Studies have shown that certain groups of kids are prone to act out violently/aggressively because of media influences.
The media’s effects on kids are not to be under-estimated. It is capable of influencing young minds like a giant remote control. While it does have its share of pros, parents still need to approach this issue with caution.
While some children do fall into the unfortunate category of sexually-abused victims or those who are exposed to domestic violence, you’d be surprised to find that some seemingly calm and normal children are more deeply influenced by what they see and hear on TV than one can imagine. Experts have warned that such kids are akin to ticking timebombs, for there’s no telling which is the straw that will break the camel’s back – or when such kids will be influenced to the point of experimenting on what they learn from the internet.
Watching too much television or even movies on the internet also takes children further away from schoolwork and homework, crippling them academically. Without supervision or proper screenings, violent acts such as rape, torture, and murder for instance, and also questionable video games can influence young minds in such ways that may be difficult to reverse. Things become even worse when they’re accompanied by profanity which happens to be on the rise now among young kids.
Children who pass time glued to the television or computer are also at a higher risk of developing obesity, seeing that inactivity is a major factor when slumped in front of the TV or PC.
How advertisements impact a child’s behaviour and thinking
Kids are often drawn to commercials and most commercials are known to plant seeds of thoughts into impressionable young minds about what they should be buying, using, eating, etc, as opposed to what they might actually need.
They create trends to follow and superficial images to which kids are easily drawn to, While the ultimate goal is always to sell their products, the whole thing often leads to young kids yearning to ‘fit into the mold’, so to speak. This may even lead to a severe lack of self-esteem in many young kids and also health problems like bulimia/anorexia.
Modern, fashion magazines are also to blame for their glossy covers and pages showcasing models with so-called “perfect” bodies that teens idolize and work towards, while of course, compromising on health.
Kids and cellphones
Cell phones are not just communication tools but they also play their part in kids’ overall style factor, with all the fancy accessories, add-ons, and what-nots, either because they really want it or they happen to feel the pressure of not having what their peers have.
Dangers of the internet
The internet is rich with useful information, both for the young and the old. While we want our children to be able to access it for all their academic needs as well as for general knowledge, we have to keep in mind though that danger lurks on the internet!
This worldwide web has turned into a haven for criminals who can easily operate and carry out heinous crimes undercover, and the ways they go about trapping their innocent victims are horrifying. What’s even more horrifying is, parents of the victims in the past never suspected that their children could be gullible enough to fall for such traps, but they forget, these are experts!
The case of a foreign pedophile who was operating from our country not so long ago is just one such example of dangers on the internet.
There are many more ways things can go wrong, such as via intentional or unintentional exposure to explicit material. The Internet doesn’t have a secure connection to stop porn viewing, therefore even kids/teens who unintentionally log online for other purposes might come across these accidentally. Parents may not like to know this but, in most cases, kids develop an interest to go back to such portals out of sheer curiosity, exposing themselves to the wrong messages sent out there about sexual behaviours. The fact that they may be derived to become sexually active at an early age, or end up disrespecting the idea of commitment in the future, is just the beginning of their problems if they have a twisted idea of sexual behaviors.
Know what’ going on
Studies have shown that children who have computers in their rooms, did academically well seeing that the Internet served as a way to keep them interested in assignments, projects, and homework. The two main factors to be concerned here are:
- Distraction from friends via social media chatting while using the PC
- The temptation to divert one’s attention to Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, or worse, forbidden websites!
Close parental monitoring is the secret key here. While no parent wants to appear like they’re micromanaging their kid, parents do still need to be fully alert to the goings-on at the study table and conduct impromptu checks besides building and keeping good communication going with their children.
Social networking sites give teens a platform to interact with friends and connect with others in a risk-free setting, although that shouldn’t allow Internet time to be so flexible. Screen your kids’ online friends like you would their real-life ones. You may also have to advise them on the kind of company they keep, online and offline. Kids these days tend to be far too advanced on their sexual development, and most of the time, media influences (and influencers) are to blame. Being physically and emotionally close to your growing child will help you keep tabs of who they’re interested in and if they’re becoming too obsessed with anyone. There are always ways to handle this, and if you’re close to your child, it becomes an easier task.
Television too can be an educational tool if used wisely and when supervised by parents. Educational shows are constantly streaming on television, where kids and young adults can learn a lot from them. Choose documentaries and shows that feature something the whole family can relate to, like food, for instance.
Print media is a good way of being well-informed about what goes on around the world, where it can develop a teen’s reading skills as well, seeing that it is a dying habit among the young. Visit book sales as a family and have your children discuss what they’re currently reading during a dinner-time banter. Keeping things lively in the family will help deter your kids from seeking outside distractions for entertainment.
Children need to be constantly nurtured mentally and spiritually to be kept on the right track. If parents do not wish to see their kids becoming obsessed with an idea or mentally deteriorate, then it is important that they maintain good relationships and communication with their growing kids and keep tabs on their goings-on and checking their behaviors when needed.
